Teens party in mansion, steal jewelry, armor, stuffed snow leopard
LA HABRA HEIGHTS, Calif. — Authorities have recovered a huge haul of high-end swag that thieves snagged during a party at an empty mansion — including armor, shields and a stuffed snow leopard worth $250,000.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department says 15 teenagers were arrested Wednesday in connection with last month’s party in La Habra Heights. Officials say it was planned on social media and held without the homeowner’s knowledge.
According to investigators, partygoers entered through a window that was pried open, then trashed the place and stole several pricey items including designer suits and jewelry. The combined theft and damages totaled more than $1 million.
Sheriff’s Lt. Arthur Scott tells the Los Angeles Times that the suspected leopard thief had no idea how valuable the mounted cat was and grabbed it “because all the good stuff was gone.”
